I will represent you with compassion and civility

I am a teacher. This national conversation of arming teachers to prevent gun violence in our schools, is disturbing. Texas teachers are trained to meet pedagogy and professional standards, that make learning relevant for today’s learners. Our responsibility does not, and should not, be that of an armed guard.

Instead, the conversation should be focused on AR-15s being used in the recent mass murders of students, and school personnel, at Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Since 2012, the AR-15 semi-automatic assault rifle has been the weapon of choice in the deadliest mass murders in our country. At Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, the gunman fired 154 rounds in less than five minutes, murdering 20 innocent children, ages 6-7, and six staff members.

A recent Quinnipiac poll, released Feb. 20, found that 67 percent of Americans, which included 53 percent gun owners, are in support of a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons. This is the conversation we need to have — banning assault weapons, and protecting Americans from mass murders.

I stand with the majority of Americans, and call for a ban on assault weapons. I support:

The time for thoughts and prayers are long passed. We need leadership with courage to protect our schools, our students, and our nation, against mass shootings and gun violence.

I am also a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, Texas 14. As an educator, I will advocate for the investment in our youth, through programs such as early childhood education, mentorship programs, and the strengthening of our public school education system. I will fight for all Americans to have access to health care and health care insurance.

I will focus on job training programs to alleviate the unemployment facing our residents. As a representative, I will defend Social Security and Medicare, and support our veterans to ensure they are not living on the streets, and without medical services. This district is still on the road to recovery from Hurricane Harvey, and we need resources to reach the residents that are still living in hotels and displaced from their homes.

I will represent you in Congress with compassion and civility.

Adrienne Bell is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, Texas 14.

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(5) comments

For those who believe in polls:"15,000 law enforcers regarding their thoughts on gun control in America.More than 91 percent of respondents say it [a federal ban on so-called 'assault weapons'] would either have no effect or a negative effect in reducing violent crime. A full 86 percent feel that casualties would have been reduced or avoided in recent tragedies like Newtown and Aurora if a legally-armed citizen was present (casualties reduced: 80 percent; avoided altogether: 60 percent). More than 81 percent of respondents were in favor of arming teachers and school administrators if they were properly trained and vetted or at least proficient."https://www.policeone.com/gun-legislation-law-enforcement/articles/6186552-Police-Gun-Control-Survey-Are-legally-armed-citizens-the-best-solution-to-gun-violence/Schools are now "soft targets". The "Gun Free Zone" sign just tells would be killers that no one will confront them. And I'm a teacher. If confronted unarmed I'd take a bullet rather than let one of my students get harmed.

A teacher with a gun should be the last line of defense at our schools.First we should be know the threats. We have done a good job of preventing most of the people that wanted to kill, but some still slip past .Second, harden the school to prevent people that should not be in schools from gaining entrance.If we do the first two parts correctly, the last part may never be used;The last part, Teachers with guns.HARROLD, Texas allows teachers to carry.Those participating in the program must hold concealed-carry licenses and are approved by the school board to carry on campus. Less than 50% of teacher that said they wanted to carry, were able to qualifyRay Dunn, is a tactical trainer for teacher that want to carry guns at Harrold school's It's a training tool Dunn uses to create lethally skilled shooters. Dunn’s class isn’t for hunters or law enforcement. The exercises he teaches are to train educators in how to kill."If you have to shoot where there's a crowd of people, and in school there is a crowd of kids, you’d better be accurate,"

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